Chapter 7: Friends In Need
Yasmin and Melanie headed into the house that evening after the game. Melanie had gone to the doctor earlier to get checked up on. She and the baby were both in perfect health. Yasmin walked into the kitchen and saw Tom sitting at the table, eating a sandwich. "Hi Tom." she greeted, giving him a quick hug. "Hi Yasmin," Tom greeted. "How was the game?" "We lost." Yasmin said, totally bummed about it. "Maybe next time." Tom said with a smile. Yasmin smiled, grabbed a bottle of water, and went upstairs. As soon as she got changed into her jeans and t-shirt, her cell phone beeped. She pulled it out and looked on the mini LCD screen: New Txt Message. She flipped it open and saw that it was a text from Jake. She hit the View Now option and read it. It read:
Yasmin:
Meet me in the park in ten minutes. I need to talk to someone before I explode from anger. Reply back please!
-ManchesterUnitedRock-
Yasmin loved Jake's signature. It was so cool. Anyway, she quickly replied. Her text read:
Jake:
I'm coming. Be there soon. Don't explode on me. Btw, love the new signature.
-ThePrettyPrincess
Yasmin put her phone in her pocket and grabbed her jacket. Since the park was about a five minute walk, she grabbed her house key and said, "Melanie, I'm going to meet Jake in the park. Be right back." "Okay," Melanie said. "Be careful." "I will." Yasmin said. She went outside and walked down to the park. By the time she got there, Jake was already there, sitting on a park bench. She walked up to him and said, "Jake, you okay?" Jake looked up and answered, "No. Let me explain what happened." Yasmin sat down beside Jake and looked at him. Jake sat up and looked at Yasmin. "See," he explained. "You know how my mom and dad argue right?" Yasmin nodded. "Well," Jake continued. "When I got home today, they were arguing. Well, it was so bad, that my dad just slapped my mom across the face. I didn't know what to do, so I punched him and walked here before I did anything else." Yasmin was shocked. Jake had told her that his folks argued, and were talking about getting a divorce, but she never heard anything about physical violence in their house. "I'm just so mad right now." Jake said, standing up. He kicked some dirt then said, "I can't believe him. I just can't believe it." He sat back down and asked, "Your dad ever hit your mom?" "No," Yasmin answered. "But I think he wanted to when she cheated on him with my now stepfather, Joey." "She cheated on him?" Jake asked, clearly shocked. Yasmin had never told him that. Yasmin nodded and sighed, still thinking about that day when she saw Joey run out of her house with her dad chasing down behind him. "So you know what it's like to lose one of your parents' trust?" Jake asked. "Yeah," Yasmin answered, thinking about how mad she'd been at her mom. "I had never been that hurt, in my entire life. Then, when dad left, I just cried and cried, for like a week. Daddy had always promised that he'd never go anywhere, until that day, when he said that he had to go. But the custody battle for me and my little sister was worse." Jake was into the story now. Yasmin's life was much more interesting. "My mom's side was saying that my dad was an unfit parent and all that stupid crap, when just about everyone in the legal system knows my dad is awesome," Yasmin continued. "Anyway, I was forced to live with my mom, and I cried for what seemed like forever. I wanted to go with my dad so much. I hated staying in that house, with my mom. So yeah, I do know what it's like to lose trust from a parent, because she's still trying to earn my trust back now, and it's been a year. I've just never, felt pain and hurt and sadness like that before. It was horrible." Jake sensed that she was about to cry, so he reached over and hugged her. A tear rolled down Yasmin's cheek, and Jake just held her. "Yasmin," he said in her ear. "You're the best person to confide in. You're amazing." "So are you," Yasmin said. "That's why you're my bestie." To her surprise, Jake leaned over and kissed her. Luckily, the park was empty so no one saw anything. "I really like you," Jake said once they'd parted. "I've wanted to do that since the day I met you." Yasmin was speechless. She didn't know what to say, or think. She just, couldn't talk. She was confused now. Soon, it started to drizzle. "Come on," Jake said. "Let's go and get something to eat." "You got money?" Yasmin asked. "Never leave home without it." Jake answered, smiling. He and Yasmin got up and went to the nearest fast food place.
8:00 PM
Yasmin walked back into Melanie's house and went into the kitchen. After her long talk with Jake over French fries (or as the Brits say: chips), she was totally confused. Anyway, after not finding Melanie in the kitchen, she went upstairs and down to Melanie and Tom's room. Melanie was in there, brushing her hair. "Mel," Yasmin said. "Can I talk to you?" Melanie looked up. "Sure," she answered with a smile. "Come, sit down." Yasmin sat down on the edge of the bed and Melanie asked, "What's on your mind, sport?" "I'm just, confused," Yasmin answered. "See, Jake totally dropped a bombshell on me. He told me that he liked me." Melanie stopped brushing her hair and turned around. "What did you say back?" she asked. "I couldn't say anything," Yasmin answered, looking down and fiddling with her fingers. "I was confused, speechless." "Do you like him back?" Melanie asked. "That's the problem," Yasmin answered, getting up and going over to her. "I don't know. One part of me is saying that I do, but another part is saying that I don't. I'm confused." "Well," Melanie said. "Are you ready for a, boyfriend?" "After my last one," Yasmin answered, thinking for a second. "Not really. It's like, my heart is saying that I'm not ready yet. I don't want a relationship yet." "Well tell him," Melanie said. "But break it to him gently. Try not to hurt his feelings too bad." "Okay," Yasmin said. "Thanks, Melanie. You're the best." She hugged her tight. "No problem." Melanie said, returning the hug. After they let go, Yasmin went to her room and went to bed.
Friday Morning: Journalism
It was now Friday morning and Yasmin and Peyton were sitting in Journalism, talking before class started. Yasmin had told Peyton about the whole, 'Jake' situation and Peyton had basically told her the same thing Melanie did. Soon, Cloe walked in and greeted, "Morning guys. Yas, I got your text. Just follow your heart." "You're like, the third person that's told me that." Yasmin said with a smile. Cloe smiled and just shrugged. Soon, Mr. Donovan walked in, but there was still no sign of Jake. "Okay," Mr. Donovan began. "I'll start with attendance." He quickly took attendance, then said, "Yasmin, Peyton, great coverage of the last two games. I got the e-mail of both last night, fantastic. Ready for another assignment?" "Do we have a choice?" Peyton joked. The class laughed. "Okay," Mr. Donovan chuckled. "Next Friday night, you two are to cover the boys badminton game against Lansdown Academy from Hertfordshire. You got it?" "Yeah," Yasmin answered. "We'll do our best." "Totally swear to do our best." Peyton said. "Okay." Mr. Donovan said. He went on with class and finally, it ended. Yasmin and Peyton headed off to the library for their Study Hall period.
"I wonder where Jake is." Peyton said as she, Cloe, and Yasmin searched for a book the read. They were looking around Fiction section of the library, trying to find a book the read. "I do too," Yasmin said. "I talked to him last night over French fries, but that was it. After I got home and talked to Mel, I went to bed." Just when Peyton was about to say something, Taunton's head administrator's voice came over the PA system. "Students and staff members of Taunton," she said, frantically. "We want you all to stay wherever you are, lock the doors, and cover the windows. We have just received word that a young man, around age 16 or 17, is heading towards Taunton as we speak, with a gun. We don't quite know what this young man is about to do, but as we said, lock your doors and cover the windows. If any student or staff member is in the hall, get to the nearest classroom and lock the door. If you are near the main office, get in there and shut the door behind you. We are now entering our Lockdown mode. We'll give you more updates as we get them." The administrator's voice disappeared off of the PA system and Peyton, Yasmin, and Cloe looked at each other. Could it be Jake or Max, that's heading towards Taunton with a gun? Yasmin was silently praying that it wasn't. Her cell phone vibrated in her pocket and she pulled it out. She looked on the mini LCD screen: Melanie. She flipped it open, hit the button, and answered, "Hello?" "I'm watching the news right now," Melanie said. "Are you alright?" "I'm fine," Yasmin said. "Hold on." She took the cell phone away from her ear to hear what the librarian was saying. "I want you all to help me put stuff up over the windows, then, have a seat." she said. Yasmin put her phone back up to her ear and said, "I'll call you right back." She snapped her phone shut and put it in her pocket. She, Cloe, and Peyton and the other students that were in there helped the librarian put stuff over the windows. When they were done, Yasmin, Cloe, and Peyton got their bags and sat down by the back bookcase. Yasmin pulled out her cell phone and called Melanie. Melanie soon answered with a, "Are you okay?" "I'm fine, Mel," Yasmin said. "Calm down. What's the news saying?" Just when Melanie was about to answer, Yasmin said, "Wait, the head administrator's about to make an announcement." She took the phone away from her ear and the over the PA system, the head administrator said, "Staff and students, we have just received word that the young man is a student here at Taunton. Again, I say, keep your doors locked and windows covered, because the police are on their way to make sure the young man doesn't get inside. Please-" She stopped and soon, Yasmin, Cloe, and Peyton heard the sound of screaming and the sound of windows shattering. The lunatic was inside the school now. Peyton, Cloe, and Yasmin looked at each other and gulped. Yasmin put her phone back up to her ear and said, "I think this lunatic's inside the school, Mel." She heard Melanie gulp. "Sweetheart," she said. "Don't do anything to make him hurt you. Stay calm and careful." "Don't worry about me," Yasmin said. "I'll call you back, I promise. If you don't hear from me in the next hour, by phone or text, then you have permission to worry." "Okay sweetheart," Melanie said. "Bye." "Bye." Yasmin said. She snapped her phone shut and put it in her bag. She looked at Peyton, who was hugging her knees to her chest because she was so scared. Cloe was hugging her. Yasmin joined in the hug. "I'm scared you guys," Peyton said. "I never told you guys this, but you're both like the sisters I've always wanted. Promise we'll all be best friends forever, no matter what." "No matter what." Yasmin said. "No matter what." Cloe agreed. They all let go and grabbed hands. Soon, they heard a loud popping sound. Yasmin knew that sound anywhere, since she'd gone down to the shooting range with her dad several times. It was the sound of gunshots, several of them. There was another pop and Peyton screamed. All of the students and the librarian had moved to the back of the library now. Peyton was squeezing Yasmin's hand now, and that's when a certain someone hit her thoughts: Stuart! She hadn't seen him since they were at his locker this morning, now, she was worried. She needed to know if he was alright. "Yasmin," she said. "Do you have Stuart's-" They were interrupted when the library's emergency exit abruptly open. A police officer came inside and said, "Grab your things and get out of here." The students and the librarian did what they were told, grabbing their bags and books and going outside. "Oh my God," Peyton said, hitting the ground to soak in the nice, wet grass. "It's land. I'm so glad to be out of there." "Oh my God," Yasmin said. "Where's Amanda?" Quite a few students were out now. "Amanda," Yasmin called, pushing through the crowd. "Amanda, where are you?! Amanda!" She found Amanda's boyfriend, Alan. "Alan," she said. "Where's Amanda?" "I don't know," Alan answered. "I'm trying to find her." "Oh my God." Yasmin said. She silently prayed that Amanda was okay. Finally, Amanda ran out and over to them. "I'm okay," she said, crying. "I'm fine. Oh my gosh, I'm scared." She hugged Yasmin, then got into Alan's arms. Yasmin made her way back over to Cloe and Peyton and said, "Amanda's fine. She just came out." She soon felt a tap on the shoulder. It was Stuart, crying. "I'm alive." he cried. "Hey," Yasmin said, hugging him, along with Peyton and Cloe. "You're fine. You're safe with us." "Students," the police officer shouted. "Squad cars are about to surround the whole school. Get your things and get over in that field. The gang picked up their things and went over to the grassy field with the other students. More police cars came up and surrounded the building. She pulled out her phone and dialed Melanie's number, knowing that she was worried. Melanie soon answered with a, "Yasmin." "Yeah," Yasmin said. "It's me. I made it out, I'm fine. Peyton and Cloe, and Stuart are fine too. We're all fine." "Oh thank God," Melanie said. "What about Jake?" "He wasn't at school today, and the shooter could possibly be him. That's why we're scared," Yasmin said. "What else is the news saying?" "The shooter's killed ten people already, seven students and three staff members. He's making his way into the gymnasium now." "Oh no," Yasmin said. "That's where Megan and Lucas are now. I'll call you back. Bye." "Please call me back," Melanie said. "Bye." Yasmin snapped her phone shut and put it back in her pocket. She had to know that her friends were alright. Not thinking clearly, she texted Jake. Her text read:
Jake:
Where r u?!
-ThePrettyPrincess
"Crap." Yasmin said as the message sent off. She really hadn't meant to text him, but it was a habit. She was surprised when she got a reply back. Jake's text read:
Yasmin:
Thank God you're alright. I'm at home so calm down. Who's the shooter? Are Peyton and Stuart alright? What about Cloe? Amanda?
-ManchesterUnitedRock-
Yasmin replied to Jake's text. Her text read:
Jake:
Idk yet who's the shooter. Peyton, Stuart, Cloe, and Amanda are all okay. We're just shaken up. I'll text you back later. Bye. Don't text back.
-ThePrettyPrincess
After that message sent off, Yasmin called Melanie back. "Yasmin." Melanie answered after a few rings. "Yeah," Yasmin said. "Me again. Jake's at home. He's fine. I see Megan and Lucas coming out now, so they're okay." "Thank goodness," Melanie said. "The news is saying that the shooter's killed 4 more people, two students and two staff members, bringing the number of people killed up to fourteen." Yasmin was about to say something, until she heard another few shots. She heard the news over the phone, in the background, the reporter saying, "It's just been reported that five more people have been shot, four staff members and a student. This is the worst thing that Taunton Prep has ever seen. Again, that is, five more people have been shot, four staff members and a student, bringing the total number of killings up to nineteen." "Melanie." Yasmin said. "I'm here," Melanie said. "Just in shock." "I wanna come home." Yasmin said, sitting down on the ground next to Peyton. "You'll be here soon, I hope," Melanie said. "Keep me posted. Bye." "Bye." Yasmin said. She snapped her phone shut and wrapped her arms around Peyton, who was shaking because she was so scared. Then, another person crossed her mind: Mr. Donovan! "Peyton," she said, letting her go. "Mr. Donovan, I haven't seen him come out yet." A few more shots were fired. Peyton, Cloe, and Yasmin grabbed each other's hands and looked. The police were still outside, surrounding the building. Soon, they heard another shot. Yasmin's phone vibrated. She looked on the screen: Melanie. She flipped it open, hit the button, and answered, "Mel, what's up?" "The shooter killed six more people, then shot himself." Melanie answered. Yasmin almost dropped the phone. "Oh my gosh." she said. "They've just found out who it is," Melanie said. "It was Max." Yasmin gasped and said, "I'll call you back." She snapped her phone shut as Melanie was still talking. "It was Max." she said. Then, she broke down. Peyton cried with her, and so did Cloe. No matter what he'd done in the past couple weeks, he was still their friend and classmate. Yasmin soon heard someone go, "Yasmin!" She looked up and saw Jake running toward her. She stood up and hugged him tight. "Oh man," Jake said, practically crying. "When I was looking at the news, I thought I'd lost you." "I'm okay." Yasmin said, about to cry again. Jake just held her. They finally let go and Yasmin hugged Peyton and Cloe. They let go and picked up their things. "Students," said the cops. "Call your parents to come and get you. We have to get you all off the scene so we can investigate." Students did exactly what they were told. After a while, Melanie pulled up. "Melanie!" Yasmin shouted, running over to the car. She opened the door and got in. She hugged Melanie as tight as she could. Melanie started crying and said, "Oh my goodness, I'm so glad you're alright." "I'm glad I'm alright too." Yasmin said as they let go. Melanie pulled off and they went home.
Yasmin walked in and went to the living room. Tom was there, watching the news. "I'm fine, Tom!" Yasmin exclaimed. Tom stood up and hugged her. "I'm glad you're alright." he said. "So am I." Yasmin said. They let go and Yasmin grabbed her stuff and ran upstairs. She changed her clothes and lay down. She started crying again. Max was gone, and there was nothing they could do about it. She soon, drifted off to sleep.
Yasmin awoke around noon to the sound of her cell phone ringing. She flipped it open and answered, "Hello?" "Hey," said a voice. "It's Peyton. Turn on the news." Yasmin, trying to wake up, picked up the remote and turned to the news. They were talking about what went down at Taunton. "What about it?" she asked Peyton. "Listen." Peyton said. Yasmin listened. "Again, staff at the London Portland Hospital have just told us that Taunton's shooter, Max Renalder, is not dead," the reporter was saying. "He was in critical condition from his self-inflicted gun shot wound, but has now been upgraded to serious condition, and should continue to get better over night." Yasmin changed the channel and said to Peyton, "Oh my God, it's great that he's not dead." "Maybe now he can get some help or something." Peyton added. "Yeah," Yasmin agreed. "I'm gonna call Jake. Bye." "Bye." Peyton said. Yasmin pressed End, then called Jake. He soon answered with a, "Hello?" "Hey," Yasmin said. "It's me." "Hey," Jake said, soundly sleepy to Yasmin anyways. "How ya holdin' up? "I'm fine," Yasmin answered. "Did you hear the news?" "Yeah," Jake answered. "Max isn't dead. It's good, but they're gonna keep him in the hospital for psychiatric evaluation." "I wonder what ticked him off." Yasmin said, thinking about it. "I wonder that too," Jake said. "Must've had some other problems." "Maybe," Yasmin said, looking up to see Melanie standing at the door. "Hold on." She took the phone away from her ear and asked, "What's up, Mel?" "Ready to go to the studio?" Melanie asked. "Totally," Yasmin answered. "Be down in a minute." Melanie smiled and went off down the hall. Yasmin put the phone back up to her ear and said, "I'll call you back later. I'm about to go down to the studio, and my personal assistant, Morgan, is gonna be there so we can all hang out." "Cool," Jake said. "Talk to ya later. Bye." "Bye." Yasmin said. She snapped her phone shut and put on her black and white high-top Converse. She put on her gray Taunton Prep hoodie and grabbed her Coach handbag. She put on her earrings and went downstairs. Melanie was waiting for her, and talking on her cell phone. "Ready." Yasmin said. Melanie nodded, grabbed her keys, and they left out.
Chapter 7 done. Chapter 8 coming soon…..